Golf is an incredible way for people of all ages to get fit while spending time outdoors. But, all that time spent exposed to the elements on the golf course can also be tough on your body, especially your eyes. Overexposure to harmful UV rays can damage your eyes, resulting in vision problems later in life, which is why it’s so important for golfers to invest in a good pair of sunglasses.
But besides protecting your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays a good pair of sunglasses can also help to up your golf game and reduce vision-impairing glare. While on the course, you depend on your eyes to help you make the right swing, so it only makes sense to arm yourself with the best sunglasses for golf. The sunglasses you wear to the beach or in your car aren’t always the best option on the green, and most golfers opt to invest in a separate pair of sunglasses for the golf course. But finding the best pair to suit your game can be tricky, so we’ve put together an easy guide to choosing the best sunglasses for golf:
See the course through rose-tinted glasses:
While helping to reduce glare on the course is one big reason to wear sunglasses while playing golf, increased contrast is another big plus. Because contrast is vital for golfers to play their best it’s important to consider the tint of your sunglasses lenses.
For example, rose copper-tinted lenses are perfect for the putting green as they remove yellow and red tones from the colour green, enabling you to read the grains and breaks of the green better while also seeing the contours of the course more clearly. Brown tinted lenses, on the other hand, will help to heighten the contrast of the grass and the sky, helping you see the ball clearly as it travels through the air. This also makes them ideal for reading the green when you are on the fairways.
Consider fit and cut
First off, it’s important to pick a pair of sunglasses that fit correctly. Golfing takes a whole lot of focus and the last thing you want to worry about is your sunglasses drifting down the bridge of your nose every time you go to take a swing. Make sure you pick a pair of sunglasses are not too big or too small for your face. A good tip is to look for the ‘Three Point Fit,’ meaning the sunglasses touch the wearer’s face in only three places ( the bridge of the nose and behind each temple).
The cut of the lenses is also super important when it comes to choosing sunglasses for the golf course. Usually sunglasses are cut in a way that reduces distortion when the wearer is looking straight ahead, meaning there will be little distortion in the centre of the lens and more distortion around the edges. But, since golfers look down when hitting the ball, the distraction on the edges of these lenses could cause the ball to look like it’s in motion during the swing. Sunglasses cut specifically for golf will offer distortion in the right places, making it easier to hit the ball correctly.
Nike Golf Maverick Sunglasses
These stylish Nike golf sunglasses provide oversize coverage with a “barely-there” feel. The arms are designed to fit comfortably under a hat and the ventilated rubber nose bridge reduces fogging. Available in a range of different styles for both men and women, these golfing sunglasses are the perfect fit for the green or the clubhouse.
Oakley Men’s Flak 2.0 XL
Set in a plastic frame, these golf-specific Oakley sunglasses come in a range of different lens options including polarised and multi-chromatic. Offering exceptionally sharp clarity, these sunglasses feature Oakley’s iconic High Definition Optics, which are designed to make it easy to gauge distances on the golf course.
Nike Golf X2 Pro E
Nike teamed up with professional golfers to create this unique pair of sunglasses for keen sportsman. The technology featured in these sunglasses not only focuses on comfort during play but also precision. The ultra-light nylon frames feature a ventilated nose bridge and tapered arms, which thin out close to the temples to allow for a hat to be worn, making them a golfers dream. The Nike Golf X2 Pro E sunglasses also feature Nike Max Optics technology which makes it easier to see the ball by helping to define the green, increase the visibility of the colour white, and enhancing the depth of field vision to maximise your view at any angle.
